Questions: Which statement BEST combines two central ideas in the passage? African music has been the key inspiration for most instruments used in modern American music. African music influences are the main reason that American music is now fully matured. American styles of music, though widely divergent, share a common root. American types of music, while spanning many genres, have a distinct unifying sound.

The answer is: American styles of music, though widely divergent, share a common root.

This statement focuses specifically on the influence of African music on the instruments used in American music, but it does not address the broader idea of the shared roots of American music styles.

This statement suggests that African music influences have led to the maturation of American music, but it does not combine the ideas of the diversity and common roots of American music styles.

This statement effectively combines the ideas that American music encompasses a wide range of styles (divergent) and that these styles share a common origin (common root), which is likely influenced by African music.

While this statement acknowledges the diversity of American music genres, it focuses on a "distinct unifying sound" rather than the shared roots of these genres.